Training Log Archive: Nathan

Brimham Rocks Middle Distance.
Leg was stiff and sore waking up but seemed ok after some walking around. Wore my tightest socks and dosed up on ibuprofen.
Overall a really solid run. One daft mistake with a terrible exit from 5 (not really sure what happened after checking my compass) but otherwise I felt smooth and confident in my technique, just getting caught out on the top/bottom of some crags at times. Caught Oli around number 18 and had a good head to head through the rest which felt like good training to put some pressure on my technique. Really enjoyed this, a nice salve for yesterday and hopefully a good sign before POM next weekend.
Leg held up ok but was a bit sore dropping down some crags and in the terrain.

Long Mynd Valleys - English Champs, 26th.
Frustrating race. Was well up for it with it being the first proper race I'd be doing this season. Set off well and was off the back of the front pack in 6th/7th all the way through to CP6, taking it steady on the road and gaining time back on the runnable descents and steeper climbs which was pleasing. Aim was to push on after an hour or so but on the descent between CP6-7 I took a big fall and ragdolled down the hill. Stood up and my leg buckled under me and was very painful. Knew my race was kind of done there and had to take a couple of minutes sitting and watching folk run through. Decided it was as quick back to finish the race as it was to walk around the bottom of the valleys so set off hobbling with my jacket on. Leg was a bit better climbing so tried to put some efforts in on the climbs and take the descents as they came. Gained back a few places but the fight had gone really.
A very frustrating result, I think the minimum I could have expected to finish was 7th, probably wouldn't have challenged the front 4 but would like to think I could have raced Tim and Ben for 5th/6th. Good signs that I felt strong for an hour and I'm happy to have been confident enough to run my own race. Unfortunate but it happens and there isn't really anything I could have done. Leg was very sore afterwards but I'm pretty sure it's just bruising and some cuts. Think I effectively gave myself a horrible dead leg after hitting on some rocks as I went down.
Happy enough with my shape as I know there's more to come having not really done any sessions just consistent training and decent steady running. Looking forward to getting some more sharpness and power in the coming months.

C • Hard luck 2

Similar to last night but carried on over the Glen and around Hirst Wood. Felt miles better, few short hill, flat and downhill bursts moving fairly well.

Body felt very tired and a bit light headed. Planned today to be easier anyway so just trundled along Baildon Bank.

Easy around the canal and river.

Session in the woods up the hills. WU, 15min tempo, 3x2min hills, WD. Felt good on the tempo (hilly trail/terrain) and kept the hills steady just getting the legs used to more sustained steeper stuff. Bit of rest now before the weekend.

Easy up the hill, down to the canal, up Gill Beck and the Moor, down Shipley Glen and home. Feeling reasonable but kept things very easy as I'm conscious of still recovering from the weekend ahead of Saturday.

Recovery round the valley. Felt alright.